Flooding Otago, South Island highways 10.30 am – avoid travel

22 Jul 2017 10:41 am
| NZ Transport Agency

People are advised to avoid travel on highways and roads of Otago and Canterbury, south of Christchurch, today with highways closed all over Otago and parts of State Highway 1 closed south of Christchurch with the Selwyn River overtopping its banks this morning.

SH1 north of Dunedin to Oamaru remains closed.

Due to rising levels on the Selwyn River, State Highway 1, this morning has been closed at Telegraph Road, south of Rolleston through to Rakaia. A detour is in place via Telegraph Road, to Darfield State Highway 77(as far as Methven) and Inland Route 72 if essential travel is required. (Methven to Ashburton is still closed.)

Access between Ashburton and Rakaia is expected to open soon for essential travel. Please be prepared for delays, many roads are affected by surface flooding.

No flooding signs does not mean no danger at highways and fords

Please be aware that contractors have run out of flooding signs in many places, so people need to be aware that fords may be deeper than they think. Drive with caution advises Civil Defence Emergency Management in Otago. “Not every area with surface flooding is signposted.”

Passing lanes at Dunsandel today south of Christchurch, south of the Selwyn River.

South Canterbury

Transport Agency contracting crews are assessing many roads around Timaru currently with river levels receding there. They hope to reopen SH1 Rakaia to Timaru this morning (Saturday).

Kaikoura access

The southern State Highway 1 route to Kaikoura via the Hundalees and Cheviot is open, but drivers will be convoyed between Peketa and Goose Bay. The highway closes at 6 pm Saturday night, open normally 7 am to 6 pm Friday to Monday inclusive.

The inland road, Route 70 via Waiau, remains closed until midday at least Saturday at this point with road crews clearing debris and small slips from daybreak. Please note, even when this road is closed to Kaikoura, it is open to Mt Lyford for people staying in the alpine village.

Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they’re travelling or when they’re on the road, safely parked off the highway

The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.